Review by Booklist Review
This volume, designed to resemble a scrapbook, introduces a true episode from nineteenth-century art history, delivering facts about John Singer Sargent and his luminous masterwork, Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose, through the imagined words of a child present during its creation. Brewster is no stranger to innovative interpretations of nonfiction. His prior works include another scrapbook-style title, Anastasia's Album (1996), about the mysterious Romanov princess. Although this topic may not be as inherently fascinating to children, Brewster does his best to hook them from the choice of painting (one of Sargent's most broadly appealing) to the central conflict stemming from the artist's selection of two other girls as models instead of the narrator. Drawing from primary sources, Brewster supplies a fact-laced story well suited to readers who appreciate the historical fiction published by American Girl, although the book's picture-book packaging may prevent it from readily finding an audience. More widely accessible are the profuse visuals, including some of Sargent's sketchbook doodles and real photos of the featured family, thoughtfully selected to support both the fiction and the underlying history.--Mattson, Jennifer Copyright 2007 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose: The Story of a Painting by Hugh Brewster describes American artist John Singer Sargent as seen through the eyes of Kate Millet, who posed for him. Based on actual letters and recollections, the book features more than 35 of the artist's paintings and sketches. (Kids Can, $17.95 48p ages 9-12 ISBN 9781-55453-137-0; Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-5-Nervous, quiet, and excited Kate describes John Singer Sargent's visits to her home and his artistic endeavors in her English village. She is disappointed when the gruff artist drops her as a featured subject in his Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose in favor of some other children, but eventually becomes the subject of one of his portraits. The calm, mood-setting text captures elements of the more affluent lifestyles of the late 1800s. Brewster deftly develops Kate's personality, with strong emphasis on her feelings, while the painter remains a secondary character, with readers learning of his artistic technique through the child's observations. The illustrations come from a variety of sources and include mostly old, black-and-white photos (some of the real-life Kate Millet Adlard) and some recent color ones of Kate's home and of Victorian artifacts, plus many reproductions of Sargent's sketches and paintings. Soft, delicate cream-and-white borders frame the text and artwork; dark-green endpapers give the book a Victorian feel. The handsome cover reinforces Singer's interesting use of light. Libraries looking for art-related fiction should consider this carefully packaged work. Bear in mind, however, that as a picture book with lots of text, it may have a limited audience and will need to be booktalked.-Lynn K. Vanca, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Richfield, OH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
In the 19th-century equivalent of being asked to model for a Vogue spread shot by Annie Leibovitz, little Kate Millet is noticed by the famous painter John Singer Sargent and asked to pose for him. Like Leibovitz, Sargent left nothing to chance, using wigs, designing clothes and sending a peacock and lily bulbs in preparation for his painting the following summer. Kate experiences the thrills and the tribulations of being a model: One day when Sargent chooses to paint two other girls instead, Kate spends the evening in her room crying. In the end, Kate poses for one of Sargent's most famous paintings: Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose. Anyone interested in the life of Sargent will find the portrait of the artist and his painting through the eyes of a child model fascinating. Splendid reproductions, photos and sketches. (Nonfiction. 12+) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
